Kelowna murder victim identified

Social media has identified the woman police say was murdered last week in Kelowna.

The body of Russia Nicholson was found by an orchardist last Wednesday morning near Cooper Road, in plain view just feet from a nearby sidewalk. At the time RCMP immediately said the death was suspicious.

According to her account, Russia is from Mission, B.C., but called Kelowna home. While police said last week that they believed the victim to be over 25 years old, her Facebook account states she was just 23 years old, born in 1994.

The Kelowna RCMP Serious Crimes Unit (SCU) has taken lead on the murder investigation.

Last week Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said police did not believe that she was the victim of a random attack.

Anyone who may have witnessed anything in the area prior, or anyone with any information is asked to contact the Serious Crimes Unit of the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.